slammdrider

So I'm looking to buy a 94 pickup 4x4 V6 for 600 dollars but there is some knocking coming from the front top part of the motor wondering what might cause it and if it would be worth it to fix it or just buy a new motor for the truck. I'm willing to buy a new motor since the rest of the truck is in otherwise great condition and it just had a new tranny put in. so my other question is where can i get a new motor for this for under 3000 dollars. thanks for any help that u can give me...

toytech76

I say tear off the top of the motor tofind it. Might be a dropped valve seat or something. Hard to tell without hearing it. Dont buy a whole motor if it doesnt need it

bigt

unless you swappi g it for a 3.4 or 4.3 chev or something

RobD

Question is, how much work are you capable of doing on your own?

If you're comfortable pulling and rebuilding an engine, I say pull it and swap in a 3.4. Way more power, way more fun. And you can find complete engines for under $2000 if you look hard enough.

Quick search of Craigslist brought this up: http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/pts/780609006.html

slammdrider

I'm not that great with cars so swapping the motor myself is simply out of the question. i was talking to the person more today and they also told me that it burns oil like a quart or two every 3000-4000 miles what would cause this and would that also help me figure out what is causing the knocking even though its coming from the top front of the motor kinda around the timing cover at least thats what i think the black part is at the front of the motor.

wrnchplr

I am on my 3rd 3.POS motor and all them made the same sound. Knocking coming from the top end around the #1 cyl. All 3 had bad bearings.....one even had 2 broken rods. I say buy it and swap in another motor and call it good.

slammdrider

so if i was looking to swap the motor how hard is it to find someone that is willing to do that kind of stuff. what motor would u guys suggest putting in it and where would be someplace i could find that motor for a decent price and I'm looking for decent motors something that's going to run for quite awhile after i put it in i don't what to have to be fixing it right after having all this done if i go this way.

yotAddiction

Chances are that the noise is coming from the valvetrain, more specifically the clearance between the lash adjusters and the valve itself. Almost every Toyota engine, especially high mileage ones that we have had has had this noise. If you are getting the truck for that cheap and it is good shape I would buy it. Drive it the way it is until the engine falls apart (good chance it wont) and save money for a rebuild or new engine. I would stick with the 4 cylinder, but that is just an opinion. Good luck!

Edit: Please disregard the above. I missed the part in your first post that said it was a V6. I thought you had the 4 cylinder. Guess I should read closer next time.. sorry.

STEVE_R

well, it's hard to say what the knock is from, but if seems more noticeable on the top, i'd say valve train also. just a thought, how many miles on motor? could be that the person your buying truck from ran a thinner oil. just my 2 cents.

slammdrider

the motor probably has around 120,000-130,000 miles on it and considering they used jiffy lube for the oil changes then a thinner oil was most definitely used. if i was to just have the top end rebuilt for now to get rid of the knocking do u think that's a good idea.

STEVE_R

Well, i wouldn't jump in and rebuild or replace heads right away, i would switch up oil wieght first, then if that didn't help, checkinto getting valves looked at and or adjusted. If that don't help, then look into rebuilding heads or replacing them. assuming that is indeed where the knocking is from. as far as oil is concerned, i currently run 30 wt. for the summer and 10/30 in the winter.hope this info helps.